Reasons for Water Retention in the Body

As logical as it may seem to stop drinking water if you have water retention, you should keep hydrating. Dehydration will not help you combat water retention. Reasons for water retention in the body can include excess salt intake, hormone changes, medicines and toxins and wastes that have built up in the body. Premenstrual syndrome, poor circulation and congestive heart failure may also cause you to retain water.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

• Hormonal changes in a woman's body are the basic culprit in PMS symptoms such as water retention. Exercise daily and eat foods with low salt content to help prevent water retention, according to the Mayo Clinic. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, but eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

• One of the most serious reasons for water retention in the body is congestive heart failure (CHF), and no one is immune to it. If you have had a heart attack, battle coronary artery disease or have high blood pressure, you are more at risk for congestive heart failure and water retention. Don't drink alcohol excessively, stop smoking, reduce fats and salt in your diet, manage your weight, make sure you treat your high blood pressure and have your doctor check for an over- or under-active thyroid, which can result in water retention and CHF.

  Possible signs you have CHF depends upon which side of the body it is occurring. Watch for these left-side symptoms: shortness of breath during very mild exertion or when sleeping, wheezing, and coughing repeatedly. Watch for right-side CHF symptoms such as fatigue, low appetite but weight gain, and swollen ankles, feet or legs.

Poor Circulation

• If your water retention is more pronounced and restricted to your feet, ankles or legs, it could be due to poor leg vein circulation. Increase your physical activity if that is the case in order to improve leg circulation. Bed rest during pregnancy or the aftermath of a surgery can also cause poor leg circulation, resulting in water retention. If your doctor agrees, use special leg stockings to help stimulate circulation in these situations. Compression stockings also help reduce potential blood clots that can form when circulation in the legs is compromised.